EL SEGUNDO, CA — Even before the Los Angeles Kings lost defenseman Slava Voynov to his indefinite suspension, resulting from him being charged with domestic violence against his wife, it was no secret that they were looking for help on their blue line to fill the void left by big, physical, stay-at-home defenseman Willie Mitchell, who they could not fit under the salary cap last summer.

With both players out of their lineup, the Kings struggled, especially in their own end. That continued until their current eight-game winning streak, prompting President/General Manager Dean Lombardi to acquire defenseman Andrej Sekera from the Carolina Hurricanes on February 25, in exchange for defenseman prospect Roland McKeown and a conditional first round pick.

As first reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the conditions for the first round pick are: if the Kings make the playoffs, the pick will be in the 2015 National Hockey League Draft. If not, the pick will be in the 2016 draft.

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — With one game left before the National Hockey League’s All-Star break, the Los Angeles Kings find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture.

Indeed, if the Stanley Cup Playoffs were to begin tomorrow, the defending Stanley Cup Champions would not qualify for the post-season party.

So what’s to blame for the Kings’ “malaise,” a term used by President/General Manager Dean Lombardi in a recent Canadian radio interview?

Although the recent losses of forwards Tyler Toffoli (mononucleosis) and Tanner Pearson (fractured fibula) are playing a role, the problems have been present since the season began last October. As such, you can chalk it up, in large part, to instability on the Kings’ blue line, with veteran defenseman Robyn Regehr in and out of the lineup due to various injuries, along with the loss of Slava Voynov to his ongoing suspension.

Frozen Royalty was there to talk to Drew Doughty, Robyn Regehr and Jake Muzzin about facing old friend and former teammate Willie Mitchell, now with the Florida Panthers, on November 18.

Due to technical difficulties, uploading November 17 video interviews with Doughty, Regher, Muzzin and head coach Darryl Sutter was delayed, but you can check them out now. An audio interview with Mitchell is also available.

Defenseman Willie Mitchell and family pose with the Stanley Cup after theLos Angeles Kings won the 2014 Stanley Cup Championshipin Game 5 of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final. (click above to view larger image)Photo: Gann Matsuda/FrozenRoyalty.net

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Veteran defenseman Willie Mitchell, a key member of the Los Angeles Kings’ 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup Championship teams, left the Kings after last season because the team could not fit him under the salary cap.

Mitchell ended up switching coasts, signing a two-year contract with the Florida Panthers, a deal that has a $4,250,000 salary cap hit, a figure that was nowhere close to what the Kings could fit under their salary cap.

LA Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell and members of his family pose for a photo with the Stanley Cup after the Kings won the 2014 Stanley Cup Championship at Staples Center in Los Angeles on June 13, 2014.
Photo: Gann Matsuda/FrozenRoyalty.net

LOS ANGELES — After the Los Angeles Kings won the 2014 Stanley Cup Championship on June 13, and after the players had skated with hockey’s Holy Grail, Frozen Royalty was on the ice to speak with the players, President/General Manager Dean Lombardi, and others.

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